Number 24 will be back at MetLife Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Back in East Rutherford, where he earned his reputation as one of the game’s great cornerbacks. Back where he inspired the Revis Island nickname through world-class coverage that gave star wide receivers nightmares.

But the Jets won’t look at Darrelle Revis longingly. They have upgraded at cornerback — at least from the well past-his-prime Revis who played for them the previous two years.

Morris Claiborne has been everything the Jets could have wanted, a stellar No. 1 cornerback who has guided a young secondary, is a favorite of coach Todd Bowles, has performed better than most expected when he was signed to a one-year contract after five injury-plagued seasons with the Cowboys.

“He’s probably one of my favorite people,” Bowles said Friday.

For the Jets’ soft-spoken coach, that’s a bombastic statement.

Claiborne has keyed a young pass defense that has performed well, ranked 15th in the league in yards allowed through the air. He is the anchor of the secondary, a unit featuring rookie safeties Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye, along with inexperienced cornerbacks Juston Burris and Darryl Roberts. According to Pro Football Focus, Claiborne hasn’t given up a touchdown this year.

Darrelle RevisAP

“He’s been great [for our culture],” Bowles said. “He’s a pro. He comes to play every day.”

Bowles declined to elaborate on the details of their relationship, but the 5-foot-11 Claiborne offered some hints. The two bonded immediately as like-minded individuals who aren’t big on making bold statements, but are laid back and understated instead. Bowles raved about Claiborne’s professionalism and work ethic. Claiborne said he can talk to his coach about anything, from football to his personal life.

Before Claiborne, a former first-round pick of the Cowboys, signed with the Jets, he sat down for dinner with Bowles at Ruth’s Chris Steak House. The two hit it off. They bonded over the similarities they saw in one another. Claiborne grew up in Shreveport, La., and Bowles recruited there when he coached in college, another source of similar interest.

“I believe it’s just being yourself,” Claiborne said. “I feel like I always have a smile on my face. I’m never too high or too down. It’s [like that] with him. It’s one of those types of relationships you just gravitate towards each other.”

Bowles’ high opinion of Claiborne was shared by second-year wide receiver Robby Anderson, who credited Claiborne pushing him in practice as a major reason for his breakout season. Claiborne, though, isn’t big on accolades. When asked about being a leader, he talked up the team’s young players, their desire to work and prepare.

“When you got guys that take responsibility of themselves it makes it easier,” Claiborne said.

Claiborne should be an attractive free agent once the season is complete. He has missed just one start this year — he strives to never miss a game — and played at a high level. He’s only 27 years old, but said he would like to make New Jersey his permanent home, to grow with the team’s young defensive backs.

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“I would love to be here,” Claiborne said. “I’ve enjoyed the guys, the coaching staff, the owners. I really think I fit in well here. I’m enjoying it, still taking it one day at a time, doing everything I can to make it last longer.”

Claiborne is no Revis, at least not the Revis in his prime. He won’t dominate elite receivers. He isn’t a name that will strike fear in opposing quarterbacks. He never has had a nickname or his own commercial. There is no imaginary Island named after him. But he’s perfectly comfortable in his own skin.

“I don’t really care about that — I don’t care about the nicknames,” he said. “I’m more thankful for the little things. I used to be like, ‘I want my own commercial,’ things like that. I’m not into that anymore. I’m here just to do my job, and that’s to play football, and whatever comes with that, it comes with that.

“I”m just blessed and thankful to have the opportunity I have now to do what I love to do.”